In this new weekly segment entitled “Fraternizing with the Enemy,” the CUI talks to the opposing school’s student newspaper to get some information about the team that the Buffs will take on in the current week. This week, sports editor Justin Guerriero talked to Chad Deutschman of the Rocky Mountain Collegian to find out about the 2016 Colorado State University Rams team before this year’s Rocky Mountain Showdown.
Contact CU Independent Head Sports Editor Justin Guerriero at justin.guerriero@colorado.edu and follow him on Twitter @TheHungry_Hippo.
Contact Rocky Mountain Collegian Sports Editor Chad Deutschman at chaddeutschman8@gmail.com.
Justin Guerriero: The University of Colorado’s defense has arguably the best depth since head coach Mike MacIntyre took the helm of the program before the 2013 season. Last season, the defense recorded 14 interceptions, which was the most by a Buffaloes’ defense in a decade. With the Buffs’ top five 2015 tackles leaders returning for this season, how will CSU put up points against Colorado’s experienced defensive unit?
Chad Deutschman: While the Buffs may be returning a ton of talent on the defensive end, the Rams bring an offensive line that is nothing to scoff at. Led by redshirt junior Jake Bennett, the CSU offensive line should give the CU defense some fits.
Factor in returning backs in Dalyn Dawkins, who ran for 118 yards on 20 carries and found the end zone once against the Buffs last year; Izzy Matthews, who didn’t have a chance to see the field against CU; and freshman Marvin Kinsey Jr., and the Rams’ running game could potentially have a three-headed monster and should be sound enough to move the ball against CU and put up some points.
JG: CU Wide receiver Nelson Spruce (graduated last season) was the bane of many a team’s existence last year. Quarterback Sefo Liufau loved to throw to him. In fact, Spruce averaged 11.8 receptions per game last season. With him gone, Liufau will likely have to spread the ball around the field more so than before. Will Spruce’s departure be beneficial in that teams won’t have to commit multiple defenders to cover, or will it hurt the Rams in that CU’s pass offense might not be as predictable?
CD: If you’re asking me, Spruce being gone will be a godsend for this CSU team. Consisting of an entirely new secondary, with the exception of cornerback Tyree Simmons, it’s a good thing for the Rams that Spruce is off pursuing the NFL (as a Ram I might add) so they don’t have to cover him.
Spruce didn’t hurt CSU too bad last season (six catches for 63 yards), but that was also a very experienced secondary trying to contain him. This year’s team, I believe, would not see the same success against such a good player. Not having to cover Spruce will only help this young secondary.
JG: Last season, the Buffs’ offensive line struggled to give the quarterback ample time to throw the ball, albeit due to injuries and inexperienced fill-ins. What does the Rams’ front defensive seven look like? Will they win the battle at the line of scrimmage and put continuous pressure on Liufau?
CD: Overall, Colorado State has a really young defense, in terms of experience. The entire defensive line will consist of all new starters, and the Rams are switching back to a 3-4 defensive scheme under defensive coordinator Marty English. Linebacker Corey James is off in the NFL and a big piece of the Rams defense this year was expected to be linebacker Deonte Clyburn, but he is out for the season with a blood clot.
The CSU front seven is inexperienced, just like the secondary, but fellow linebacker Kevin Davis returns for his senior season after leading the team in tackles last year, and a bulldog of a player in Josh Watson will come in and make an immediate impact at linebacker. The best player on the D-line is probably true-freshman Christian Colon, but don’t sleep on him because he’s a freshman — he can play. The Rams were able to put pressure on Liufau last year, and I don’t expect to see that same pressure, but it shouldn’t be too much of a drop-off.
JG: What is the Rams’ biggest offensive strength heading into this year? Who are the guys that the Buffs defensive 11 will have to keep a watchful eye on?
CD: Head coach Mike Bobo hasn’t said who his starting quarterback will be, but Nick Stevens is the heavy favorite to return to his starting job. Expect him to take a step forward in his second year at the helm. Dalyn Dawkins returns as a centerpiece in the Rams’ backfield and will be joined by Matthews. The two combine to create a versatile backfield that every opponent — not just the Buffs — will have to gameplay heavily for.
Losing Rashard Higgins and Joe Hansley will hurt the CSU offense this year, but junior college transfer Michael Gallup has been making plays in camp and should see a good amount of playing time. CSU will probably rotate a lot of players in and out at wide receiver until they find a reliable group.
JG: Before last year’s showdown, Cam the Ram tragically passed away before the game began. Will this year’s Rams team have a chip on their shoulder? Is the desire to avenge last year’s loss (both of Cam and the game) fueling this team?
CD: RIP Cam. This year’s Ram team has a lot to prove. I wouldn’t say they have a chip on their shoulder, but they are glad they play CU first this year as opposed to the third game last year. They are hungry to prove that just because they are inexperienced doesn’t mean they aren’t ready.
JG: This year, there has been a lot of hype around the Buffaloes. “This will finally be the year we return to relevance” is something I keep hearing from fans, players and coaches alike. Suffering a first week loss to CSU would be devastating. Can the Rams pop the Buffs’ bubble of confidence? What are your predictions for the game?
CD: Weren’t the Buffs picked to finish last in Pac-12 again this year? Maybe ahead of Oregon State and Cal? Not sure that’s the return to relevance CU fans really want. All jokes aside, if I’m using my head and not my heart, I think a Colorado State victory might be tough to achieve this year. It pains me to say it, but: Buffs 31, Rams 20. I hope you’re happy.
JG: To be honest, there are CU fans out there that don’t consider the showdown to be a real rivalry. These people are mainly the old guard of Buffs alumni/fans that would rather be rivals to Nebraska or Oklahoma, like the good ol’ days. But the last decade of awful CU football has brought many back down to Earth, though. What does this rivalry mean to CSU, the players and the fans? Are CU and CSU really that different? The Buffs for now can hold their early `90s successes over the heads of CSU. But both teams currently are fighting for higher recognition from the college football world. Is CSU ready to be considered a good football school?
CD: As much as some CU fans want to keep playing the “little brother” card on CSU, that ship has sailed. The Rams would have the same struggles the Buffs have had if they were in the Pac-12, and the Buffs would be a good, not great, Mountain West team, just like the Rams. At this point, the rivalry means more to fans than it does the players. Most players on both teams aren’t from Colorado — they didn’t grow up with the rivalry, but anyone who thinks the Rocky Mountain Showdown isn’t a rivalry is stuck in the past. The two programs are in very similar states. Both are trying to improve. The Buffs may be farther along in the process, but the gap is closing fast.
